motorcycles

B

B~C

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There seems like a lot of motorcycle buffs in the pub. I used to enjoy putting around the woods on my old Honda back when I was a young idiot. Now that I'm an old idiot, I have a hankering for a motor bike to explore the woods with and ride to work...I gots the cravingss for one of these http://www.dieselmotorcycles.com/models.htm

I posted this to this forum cuz the spousal unit won't see it here :)
 
No, I haven't found a price yet. It's based on the Kawaski KLR650 which has a MSRP of $5100 so I think if they wanted to sell the things they can't be to far above that number...foundation account? .... NOT
 
I posted earlier in theyear that diesel out boards are in the works. If they can make it for a bike them the outboards are on the way. It just makes sense from a military standpoint to have everything burning the same juice.
 
Give me a V Twin and lots of chrome. We were experimenting with multi-fuel bikes for messenger and recon use when I was in the Marine Corps and we ended up going back to gas. Diesels have torque and longevity but are slow reving, peaky, and need cleaner fuel than required for gas.
 
Great topic Ken! The KLR650 has a maniacal following similar to the C-Dory. Google it and you'll find a few discussion groups. I've never had the pleasure of riding one, but it sounds like the appeal is similar to what we love about our boats: sturdy, low-key, utilitarian, no-frills bikes with a few little odd quirks that those in-the-know love to talk about. I knew they made a diesel for the military but didn't realize they were selling them commercially.

I've had four bikes over the past 24 years -- a two-stroke Suzuki GT550, Suzuki GS1100, Suzuki GS850, and a BMW K1200RS. Am currently bikeless because I wasn't riding the BMW enough and I just can't stand to own driveway jewelry. Sold it to a great guy who'd just come back from special forces duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its a super bike, and it felt good to sell it to a guy who I know will enjoy it.

Just when I really started to miss the occasional ride, a friend of mine, who had to move to California with little notice, asked me if he could leave his BMW R1150R in my garage, and would I please take it out every few weeks to keep the engine from just sitting for too long? Uh, gee, I suppose I could do that!

Regards,
 
Ken, you may be in for a rude awakening on the price. Just found this on the Big Cee Engineering site ( www.bigcee.com ) under KLR650 Frequently Asked Questions:

What's this diesel KLR I've heard about?
Hayes Diversified Research and F1 Engineering of Hesperia, CA, converts KLR650 engines to diesel for the USMC. With additional modifications, the bike becomes the M1030M1 motorcycle. They will be releasing civilian models shortly. The first 100 bikes will be collectors' items, and will sell for $16k each, with deliveries starting in March 2006. Orders can be placed starting October 2005, and a deposit will be required and placed in escrow.

Oh well.[/quote]
 
Tom, ya those KLR's are very C-Doryish..right up my alley, something I can putt to work on or explore the hills with (just have to get the whole concept by the CFO). I saw that somewhere about the first 100 bikes being collector isssues and me thinks I have more patience than money...Maybe I just need to find somebody that has a bike they need to store :)

S.S., newer, high speed diesels are very gas like in their performance. I like the chromeless look, mud works for me, wouldn't want something that needs a constant cleaning
 
I blame both Tom and B~C for planting the KLR seed...Dana is out of town, and I took the opportunity a couple hours ago to sneak down to the Kawasaki dealer. I'm trying to find a place to hide it before she gets home on Monday.

Tom hit the nail on the head. If C-Dory made a motorcycle, it would be a KLR 650.

KLR_Day_One_1.jpg

KLR_Day_One_2.jpg
 
There is another dual-purpose option...

JBBikeLakeE.jpg

:wink:

Great looking bike, Bill - you're gonna have a lot of fun with that one! :thup

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Too cool...I've heard nothing but good stuff about the VStrom. I considered one as well, and I'm sure it's far nicer on the pavement than the KLR.

I'm anticipating I'll spend a little more time off the beaten path, which is why I opted for the KLR. If I'm wrong...well, there's no law against owning two bikes.
 
Don't mean to be Mr. Negative, but my 14 yrs on the streets (and my advancing middle age) have cured me of any desire to ride a motorcycle. It's called "The Lugnut Rule": He with the most lugnuts wins. Too many morons on the streets and on a bike I'm WAY TOO vulnerable to their stupidity.
 
localboy":3mymup0o said:
Don't mean to be Mr. Negative, but my 14 yrs on the streets (and my advancing middle age) have cured me of any desire to ride a motorcycle. It's called "The Lugnut Rule": He with the most lugnuts wins. Too many morons on the streets and on a bike I'm WAY TOO vulnerable to their stupidity.
Click to expand...

:lol: Gosh, Mark, I've heard that same thing said about boats (Rule of Displacement: BIG boat eats little boat). I've been riding motorcycles since I was 14... I've often said you need to ride like everyone is out to get you... and down here, I think that's accurate. :shock: After we bought Wild Blue, I thought I was done riding motorcycles... I was wrong. There are road that must have been designed with a motorcycle in mind. Riding in traffic is about as much fun as waiting in line at the boat ramp. But when it's good, it's really good. 8)

Cue the music: "Git yer motor runnin'... head out on the highway..."

Bill, the V-Strom is definitely more street oriented. It has an avid following (much like the Brats) that consider it an "adventure touring" bike. But through the woods, the KLR reigns. And not many "lugnuts" in the woods. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
This is my second KLR...I sold the first one to help pay for our C Dory. Found this one 2 months ago for $3k and couldn't resist!
new068.jpg
This is the 05 that I sold 2 years ago.
LakeJames5-24-07016.jpg
Some of my other rides...past and present.
1974 Sportster
74Fe.jpg
1999 KLX 300R
KLX002.jpg

My second 1974 Sportster
1974FE2001.jpg
My 1996 Sportster that I used for Land Speed Racing (36 records)
1046.jpg
The current Land Speed Racer...1977 Sportster engine in a 1987 GSXR 750 frame that I stretched 12" (37 records)
GSXL-RatMaxton1021.jpg
 
Not currently riding, but loved it and love to. Maybe some day again.

My 4 safety rules:
1. Ride like you are invisible.
2. Even though they can't see you, they are all out to get you.
3. Never, never ever turn left. (That left turn lane is a kill zone)
4. Always, always look every direction. (Situation awareness)

Ride, be safe, and enjoy :thup :thup

Harvey
SleepyC
 
I haven't ridden in a long time, but here's a great memory from my sister's wedding back in the 80's. Dad said we should get our moneys worth out of our tux renal, so we rode all over our little town the day after the wedding. We were quite a hit!

Boy, those shoes were slippery at stop signs!

Rick
Dad_and_I_at_Robbin_s_wedding_2.sized.jpg
 
Nice Job, Bill. It is hard to go wrong w/ a KLR. If I could only own one bike and had to ride regularly on the street and dirt, the KLR would be it. Like Jim, I have a 650 V-Strom w/ ABS. I also have the Suzuki DRZ 400-S. The S would be the other bike I would own if I could only own one bike and rode more dirt than street.

Have fun w/ the bike and follow Hardee's rules. They are pretty good ones.
 
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